Robert Carradine, the American actor celebrated for his role in the cult classic Revenge of the Nerds, has died at the age of 71.
In a statement shared with Deadline, his brother Keith disclosed that Carradine died by suicide following a nearly 20-year struggle with bipolar disorder. He described the late actor as a source of light even in difficult moments and expressed hope that his story would help reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.
The family also appealed for privacy as they mourned and thanked the public for their kindness and support.
“It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine, has passed away. In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon on light to everyone around him,” the statement read.
“We are bereft at the loss of this beautiful soul and want to acknowledge Bobby’s valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with Bipolar Disorder. We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness.
“At this time we ask for the privacy to grieve this unfathomable loss. With gratitude for your understanding and compassion.”
Keith further remembered his brother as “profoundly gifted, funny, wise, and accepting,” adding that the family wanted to speak openly about his mental health struggles.
“We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it. It is an illness that got the best of him, and I want to celebrate him for his struggle with it, and celebrate his beautiful soul,” he said.
“He was profoundly gifted, and we will miss him every day. We will take solace in how funny he could be, how wise and utterly accepting and tolerant he was. That’s who my baby brother was.”
Carradine was the youngest son of legendary actor John Carradine and the brother of actors David and Keith Carradine, as well as Christopher Carradine, a former vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering.
He made his screen debut in 1972 with The Cowboys and went on to enjoy a long and diverse career across film and television. His breakout role came in 1984 as Lewis Skolnick in Revenge of the Nerds, a performance that earned him widespread recognition and led to several sequels.
Outside acting, Carradine was deeply passionate about motorsports. He began racing go-karts at age 11, later competing at the Grand Prix level in the late 1980s and 1990s, and drove for Team Lotus alongside Paul Newman.
He shared a daughter, actress Ever Carradine, with Susan Snyder in 1974 and raised her as a single father until 1990. He later married Edith Mani, and they had two children, Marika and Ian.
Carradine is survived by his children, grandchildren, brothers, nieces, and nephews.
